Gamal Abdel Nasser
January 15, 1918 – September 28, 1970
Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918-1970) was an Egyptian military officer and revolutionary who served as the second president of Egypt from 1954 until his death in 1970. He led the Egyptian revolution of 1952, introduced land reforms the following year, and was formally elected president in June 1956.
Biography
Gamal Abdel Nasser was born in Alexandria in 1918 and became an army officer. He fought in the 1948 war against Israel and formed the secret Free Officers movement.
In July 1952 the Free Officers overthrew King Farouk. Nasser emerged as the leader of the new republic and became president in 1956. That year he nationalised the Suez Canal; the invasion by Britain, France and Israel that followed ended under American and Soviet pressure, and made him a hero across the Arab world.
He promoted Arab nationalism and socialism, built the Aswan High Dam with Soviet help, and led the short union with Syria in 1958–61. Egypt's defeat by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 was a heavy blow. He died of a heart attack in 1970.
Offices held
Mohamed Naguib Succeeded by
Mahmoud Fawzi
2 terms
- Feb 25, 1954 – Mar 8, 1954 Preceded by Mohamed Naguib Succeeded by Mohamed Naguib
- Jun 19, 1967 – Sep 28, 1970 Preceded by Muhammad Sedki Sulayman Succeeded by Mahmoud Fawzi
Also Prime Minister of 2 others
- Egypt Apr 18, 1954 – Feb 22, 1958
- Egypt Feb 22, 1958 – Sep 29, 1962 Succeeded by Kamal el-Din Hussein
Also President of 1 other
- United Arab Republic Feb 22, 1958 – Sep 28, 1961
